The new program will give players more opportunities to impress, with the Victorian sides kicking off proceedings at Visy Park on May 18.

The format will also allow more players to represent their state, with AFL rules forcing division one teams to play a minimum of 32 players from their squads with a minimum of two games each.

Last year's division one winners South Australia will start its title defence at home against Western Australia at AAMI Stadium, but will not close its campaign at Etihad Stadium like recent years.

SA will finish by playing Vic Metro at Simonds Stadium on July 3, with division two sides Queensland and NSW/ACT to meet at Etihad on July 2 before Vic Country and Western Australia.

Although the division two sides will play fewer games than recent seasons and won't play against the division one teams, their fixture is balanced against the fact they will play more TAC Cup games this year.

A 'rising stars' squad of the best prospects from division two will also be picked to play against the 2014/2015 AFL National Academy team in a game during Grand Final week.

This year's crop is considered to have more depth than last year, with a number of key position players seen as likely early picks.

Many will feature in the AIS-AFL Academy's match against Collingwood's VFL side on Friday, April 4, at the MCG as a curtain raiser to the Hawthorn/Fremantle Grand Final re-match.

The Academy will then travel to Europe the following day for a two-week tour and training camp, splitting time in London and Milan.